Logging on to CAS STNext
Interface | To Log On |
---|---|
CAS STNext | Visit CAS STNext. Enter your STNext login ID and password. |
Entering databases
At an arrow prompt (=>), use the FILE command to specify databases or clusters:
- For a list of STN databases, enter HELP FILE NAMES.
- For a list of STN database clusters, enter HELP CLUSTER NAMES.
To Enter | Follow FILE With | Example |
---|---|---|
Single database | Database name | FILE BIOSIS |
Multiple databases | Database names separated by spaces or commas | FILE BIOSIS MEDLINE EMBASE |
Predefined database cluster | Cluster nameTo add a database, include it after the cluster name.To remove a database, use the minus sign (-). | FILE POLYMERS FILE PATENTS HCA -CA |
Basic commands
STN has two versions of command language:
- NOVICE (at least the first four letters of the command) you are prompted for all information necessary to process the command.
- EXPERT (the first three letters of the command, and in some cases just the first letter) you are not prompted for additional information, so you should supply all information that is not a default option.
Stacking commands
To enter multiple commands at once, separate the commands with semicolons.
=> S GRAVITY OR GRAVITATION; D TI; FILE INSPEC
Truncation and character masking symbols
Use the symbols below to allow for variability in your search terms.
Left truncation or simultaneous left-and-right truncation is available in some fields in some databases. See the STN Database Summary Sheets for more information.
Boolean operators
Use Boolean operators to combine search terms.
Notes:
- Spacing around the Boolean operators is required.
- Always place parentheses around an expression of terms that is combined by the OR operator.
- A comma (,) or hyphen (-) can be used in place of an OR operator with L-number or E-number search terms. No spaces are allowed around the comma or hyphen.
Numeric operators
Use the operators below to specify values and ranges.
Operator | Function | Example |
---|---|---|
/ or = | Search for a single value. | S 20060400/UP |
- | Search for a range of values. | S 3-5/FE |
< | Search for values less than a specific value. | S PY<1967 |
> | Search for values greater than a specific value. | S ED>20060211 |
>= or => | Search for values greater than a specific value. | S FW>=600 |
<= or =< | Search for values less than or equal to a specific value. | S PD<=19980100 |
Notes:
- Numeric operators can be used only in fields that contain numeric data.
- Spaces can be included around numeric operators if desired.
Proximity operators
Use the operators below to specify proximity between or among search terms.
Notes:
- Both the letter for the operator and the parentheses are required for all proximity operators.
- Spaces can be included around proximity operators if desired.
- A space can be used in place of (W) in the Basic Index and sometimes other fields that have individually indexed terms, e.g., S ACID RAIN.
- For information about how an operator works in a specific database, enter HELP followed by the operator in parentheses, e.g., HELP (X), within the database.
Order of application of operators
Each search statement is processed left to right, in the following order based on the operators that combine the search terms.
- Terms in parentheses
- Terms combined with a numeric operator (=, <, >, >=, <=, -)
- Terms combined with (W) or (A)
- Terms combined with (S)
- Terms combined with (P)
- Terms combined with (L)
- Terms combined with AND or NOT
- Terms combined with OR (not in parentheses)
Displaying costs
Use the commands below to view cost information.
*Example:
=> SET ACCOUNT
ENTER COST CENTER (NONE):RESEARCH LAB
COST CENTER SETTING WILL TAKE EFFECT WITH THE NEXT SUCCESSFUL FILE COMMAND
SET COMMAND COMPLETED
System limits
Enter HELP LIMITS for the most current information on system limits. For help after receiving an error or system limit message, enter HELP (or ?) at the next arrow prompt.
Type | Limit | What To Do |
---|---|---|
Number of L-numbers in an online session | 999 | Save queries and/or answer sets. Use DELETE HISTORY to delete any or all L-numbers. |
Total number of answers per database per online session | 8,000,000 | Save queries and/or answer sets if desired. Enter DELETE HISTORY to delete L-numbers. |
Total number of characters in a search statement | 20,000 | Divide search into smaller search statements. |
Total number of answers in saved answer sets | 400,000 | Delete any unwanted saved answer sets. |
Total number of saved answer sets | 200 | Delete any unwanted saved answer sets. |
Total number of saved queries | 800 | Delete any unwanted saved queries. |
Total number of saved L-number lists | 100 | Delete any unwanted saved lists. |
Online help
Use HELP (or ?) commands to view system and database-specific information.
Command | Topic | Use |
---|---|---|
HELP MESSAGES | How to use the various commands and features available on STN | At any arrow prompt |
HELP FILE NAMES | Databases available on STN | At any arrow prompt |
NEWS FILE | Information about when a particular database was last updated | In a specific database |
HELP DIRECTORY | Database-specific help messages | In a specific database |
HELP CONTENT | Coverage and content of a database | In a specific database |
HELP COST | Cost of searching a database | In a specific database |
HELP SFIELDS | Search fields in a database | In a specific database |
HELP DFIELDS | Display fields in a database | In a specific database |
HELP FORMAT | Fixed display formats in a database | In a specific database |
HELP PRINT | Explanation of a command, e.g., the PRINT command | At any arrow prompt |
HELP COMMANDS | List of commands available within a database | In a specific database |
In addition, you can enter a ? at a prompt to receive further clarification whenever you receive a message from STN.
Additional commands
Use these commands for additional functionality.
For more information:
- Enter HELP, followed by the name of the command, e.g., HELP ANALYZE.
Command | Resource |
---|---|
ANALYZE and TABULATE | ANALYZE and TABULATE for Statistical Analysis |
ARCHIVE and REDISTRIBUTE | The STN Information Keep & Share Program℠ |
ALERT (SDI) | Current Awareness User Guide |
INDEX | INDEX for Evaluating Databases and Searches |
TRANSFER | TRANSFER for Crossfile Searching |
Logging off
Use one of these commands to log off from STN.
If you do not log off, you will continue to be charged connect-hour fees. You will be automatically disconnected after 40 minutes of inactivity.